My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 56 Reunion After a Short Separation, Su Wan Uses Deception

The pharmacist Hui Rihu's face turned pale.

Li Chengqian waved his hand: "Yakshi Huiri is an envoy of the Wa (Japanese) Kingdom. His status is special and he cannot be easily killed. Detain him and his subordinates for now, and we will ask Father Emperor for instructions on how to handle them after we return to Chang'an."

Seeing that Li Chengqian had spoken, no one dared to say anything more.

Fortunately, the second group did not encounter a tornado, and the water and food were all loaded on the vehicle.

Li Chengqian said to everyone, "Starting tomorrow, we must speed up and cross the desert as soon as possible."

"Yes!" the others replied.

Ten days later.

Li Chengqian and his entourage arrived at the border of Gaochang.

To demonstrate his military might, Ashina She'er had 2,600 infantrymen in front and 2,400 cavalrymen behind to line up and greet Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand, observing the impeccable military bearing and orderly ranks. The soldiers resembled tigers descending from the mountain and dragons emerging from the water.

Ashina She'er said, "Your Highness, I am in armor; please allow me to pay my respects with military salute!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly: "General, you've worked hard!"

"This humble general is not tired at all; it is Your Highness who has had a long and arduous journey!"

When Ashina She'er saw that Princess Hengyang had also arrived, he quickly came over and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Princess."

Princess Hengyang was heartbroken to see that Ashina She'er had lost weight, and tears welled up in her eyes: "General, how have you been?"

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. With Your Highness's strong support, I am doing well!"

"That's good, as long as you're safe."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ashina She'er ordered his men to slaughter cattle and sheep to host a feast for everyone.

During the banquet, Ashina She'er frequently toasted Li Chengqian and the others!

He began by saying, "Your Highness, I am beyond words to express my gratitude."

Last time, I borrowed two thousand imperial guards to fight against Xue Yantuo's troops. The two sides were deadlocked. Fortunately, His Highness and the Princess sent four hundred men to support us, which enabled me to defeat Xue Yantuo's troops and avenge this grudge.

Now, I have reorganized the three thousand prisoners of Xue Yantuo and am intensifying their training.

Li Chengqian said, "You did a great job!"

"Father has pardoned you for stealing the military tally and mobilizing troops without authorization. However, he is still keeping an eye on those two thousand imperial guards. Therefore, tomorrow, you will hand over those two thousand imperial guards to Jingyao to take back to Chang'an."

"Yes!" Ashina She'er was reluctant, but there was nothing he could do.

"General, His Highness has brought you five thousand masks, one thousand crossbows, and one hundred thousand arrows to equip your army. These crossbows and arrows were personally designed by His Highness. They can fire in rapid succession and have extremely high lethality and penetrating power. We have already used them several times on the way here, and they are indeed very powerful!" Du Zhenglun said, taking out a crossbow and handing it to Ashina She'er. At the same time, he demonstrated how to operate it.

"Really? I didn't know Your Highness could design weapons."

Ashina She'er took the crossbow bolt in his hand, looked at it again and again, admiring it and praising it repeatedly.

"I just designed it randomly because I had nothing better to do."

"Your Highness is truly a genius."

Du Zhenglun said, "His Highness took into account your need to recruit soldiers and horses, therefore, he brought you 100,000 taels of silver."

"How many?"

"One hundred thousand taels."

Ashina She'er was so moved that he didn't know what to say. He bowed again and said, "Your Highness, this humble general will certainly live up to your trust and swear to serve you to the death."

Li Chengqian said, "The army should be organized according to the recruitment of 5,000 cavalry. After the 2,000 Imperial Guards return to Chang'an, you should recruit another 2,000 new soldiers to supplement them and carry out training as soon as possible."

If we don't have enough horses, we'll buy more.

"promise!"

Li Chengqian looked at everyone and slowly said, "Because Tuyuhun broke the alliance first and repeatedly violated the borders of our Great Tang, the people on the border are full of complaints. Therefore, this time, I volunteered to go on a mission to the Dangxiang."

Unexpectedly, Li Tai wanted to curry favor with his father and rushed to go on the mission first, but he fell into an ambush and all five hundred of his guards were captured.

The Dangxiang are the most important ally of the Tuyuhun. To solve the Tuyuhun problem, we must first win over the Dangxiang.

Upon hearing this, Ashina She'er looked worried: "I'm afraid the Dangxiang are not so easy to win over."

They married and their relationship was very strong.

Moreover, Tuyuhun's allies were not limited to the Dangxiang. Previously, they colluded with the Eastern Turks. Last year, the Eastern Turks were conquered by the Tang Dynasty, so they turned to Tibet, Gaochang, and even the Wa (Japanese) kingdom. A single move could have far-reaching consequences, making the situation here extremely complex.

Everyone was troubled after hearing this.

Li Chengqian asked, "Everyone has their own hobbies and weaknesses. So, do you know what hobbies Tuoba Chici has?"

Upon hearing this, Du Zhenglun said, "Your Highness, is this even a question? What man doesn't like beautiful women?"

Ashina She'er said, "You're really wrong about that. Tuoba Chici doesn't really like beautiful women."

"What are his hobbies?" Du Zhenglun asked curiously.

"He was very interested in the culture of the Central Plains, especially the Legalist school of thought. I heard that he really wanted to get the original copy of Han Feizi. He once boasted that if anyone could help him get the book, he would be willing to give up three cities."

"Really? There are people like that in the world?"

Everyone found it intriguing.

Li Chengqian nodded: "That's understandable. Back then, Zhang Liang was a chivalrous man. He once tried to assassinate Ying Zheng at Bolangsha, but Ying Zheng was very cunning and brought several identical carriages. Zhang Liang and his men couldn't figure out which carriage Ying Zheng was in, so they smashed the wrong one. Therefore, Ying Zheng escaped unharmed."

Later, Zhang Liang changed his name and followed Huang Shigong to learn the "Art of War of Taigong," and finally helped Liu Bang gain the world.

Therefore, a good book has a tremendous impact on a person, and the book "Han Feizi" is a culmination of Legalist thought. If Tuoba Chici could have thoroughly studied it, then it wouldn't have been impossible for the Dangxiang people to dominate the Western Regions.

Du Zhenglun said, "Your Highness is absolutely right, but the original text of the book 'Han Feizi' has been lost for a long time. Where can we find it?"

Su Wan said to everyone, "This is not difficult. I usually like to read, and this is one of my favorite books. I would not say I can recite it from memory, but I can definitely write it down from my mind."

Xue'er happens to be here too. Don't underestimate her; her calligraphy is unmatched. Her greatest strength is her ability to imitate other people's styles. She once imitated Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion," and even Li Tai thought it was the original.

I could ask her to imitate Han Fei's handwriting and write another copy of "Han Feizi." Even if Han Fei were resurrected, he probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

"I didn't realize that Miss Xue'er was such a prodigy."

"Yes, she knows a lot."

Li Chengqian also thought the plan was feasible: "In that case, I'll leave this to you and Xue'er."

Ashina She'er asked Li Chengqian, "We have captured two hundred Tuyuhun prisoners. What should we do with them?"

Du Zhenglun suggested, "The Tuyuhun people are stubborn and incorrigible. If we release them, they will rebel again. It would be better to kill them all to save trouble."

Li Chengqian said, "We have come on this mission to resolve the issue. It would be best if we could resolve it peacefully. Besides, last time, five hundred of Li Tai's guards were captured by the Dangxiang. Wouldn't it be better if we could exchange these two hundred prisoners for the five hundred guards?"

I intend to personally travel to the Dangxiang and Tuyuhun to discuss this matter.

"Your Highness, those barbarians are ignorant of etiquette and would love to kill you. How can you take such a risk? You cannot go." Du Zhenglun strongly objected.

"Yes, Your Highness, you can't go." That's what everyone said.

"I am the chief envoy this time; how can things proceed if I don't go?"

Li Chengqian then ignored everyone's advice.

"If you really want to go, I'll go with you," Su Wan said.

Li Chengqian didn't want to take her with him, but Su Wan insisted on going, so he had no choice but to bring her along.

The group then carefully planned their next move.

night.

Princess Hengyang was examining the mask in her tent.

Ashina She'er came to pay his respects.

At this moment, there were only the two of them in the tent. Princess Hengyang disregarded the formalities, stood up, threw herself into Ashina She'er's arms, and cried, "I thought I would never see you again."

Ashina She'er gently patted her back: "Princess, it's over seven thousand li from Chang'an to here, with a vast desert in between. How did you get here? You're really strong."

"I would have disregarded life and death long ago, just to see you."

"I heard you almost committed suicide, thankfully His Highness arrived in time to save you. How could you be so foolish? If you had died, how could I have lived on alone?"

"At the time, I didn't think too much about it. I just thought that if I died, the emperor would stop bothering you."

Ashina She'er cupped her face and said, "You must never do such a foolish thing again."

Princess Hengyang nodded.

She sighed, "Chengqian and Litai are both my nephews. As their aunt, I naturally hope they can get along well. However, I never expected that Litai would covet the position of crown prince. This is wrong. People should control their desires and not covet things that do not belong to them."

"Are people in this world as simple as you describe?"

"No matter what, the Crown Prince values ​​you highly. You must seize this opportunity. I hope you will achieve great things and be remembered in history."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely do my best."

"You must understand the Crown Prince's intentions deeply. The Western Regions are not peaceful. There are Tuyuhun, Dangxiang, Tubo, Gaochang, Xue Yantuo, and Western Turks, etc. Among them, how many are good people?"

Especially the Tuyuhun, whose Khan Fuyun is stubborn and incorrigible. He listens to the King of Tianzhu and is always an enemy of our Great Tang. It is probably impossible to change his mind.

A war between the Tuyuhun and the Tang Dynasty is inevitable sooner or later. You must make thorough preparations in advance.

"However, we lack sufficient troops, warhorses, and training, and we still need some time."

"You can't afford to slack off in the slightest; you must train day and night!"

"I know."

"His Majesty has agreed to our marriage, and you will be the son-in-law of the Tang Dynasty. However, since you have not yet achieved any military merits, you cannot be promoted."

Last time, you captured two hundred Tuyuhun soldiers. Chengqian wanted to claim credit for you before the Emperor, but unexpectedly, the Emperor was furious because you hadn't returned the two thousand imperial guards. Fortunately, Wei Zheng intervened and persuaded the Emperor to pardon you from the death penalty.

"I don't expect the Heavenly Khan to promote me to a higher official position. I'll be content as long as we can be together."

"Is that really what you think?"

"I swear to God," Ashina She'er said, his face flushed red with anxiety.

Princess Hengyang chuckled at his embarrassed expression: "You men always pull this stunt, making vows all the time. If you make so many vows, how can you possibly remember them all?"

Ashina She'er looked embarrassed.

The next day, early in the morning.

Su Wan and Xue'er barely slept all night, and finally, they finished writing "Han Feizi".

Su Wan took the book to Li Chengqian to see, and Li Chengqian was amazed.

"Wan'er, I never knew you had such a photographic memory," Li Chengqian praised.

"You only realized it today?" Su Wan's lips curled up.

"This is almost exactly the same as the original. Miss Xue'er is also amazing."

"If she's a complete glutton, would I even take her along?"

"You're right. This is what they mean by birds soaring far when they follow the phoenix, and people becoming noble when they associate with virtuous people. One is influenced by one's company. Xue'er is often with you, so it's inevitable that she will improve."

"Of course! Haven't you noticed that you've become smarter and smarter since you've been with me? Before, you were like a silly boy." Su Wan said with a smug look on her face.

At this moment, Su Gui reported to Li Chengqian: "Ashina She'er has assigned me two hundred cavalrymen to escort two hundred Tuyuhun prisoners on the journey."

Li Chengqian said, "Okay!"

Fatong also came and requested to go on the mission with him: "I will go back and persuade my grandfather to live in harmony with the Tang Dynasty."

After spending time together, Li Chengqian felt that Fatong was a decent person. If he could persuade Fuyun not to oppose the Tang Dynasty, that would be a great thing.

Li Chengqian also agreed.

In addition, Li Chengqian left behind Yakushi Keiko and the four black-clad ninjas, but took Yakushi Eri with him.

Pharmacist Hui Ri understood that Li Chengqian wanted to take his sister hostage, and if he didn't cooperate with their work, his sister's life would be in danger.

After everyone finished breakfast and made all the necessary preparations, they headed to Dangxiang.

The river bend is located at the confluence of the Yellow River.

On this day, Li Chengqian and his entourage arrived at this place.

They hadn't gone far when they saw banners fluttering and dust rising in the distance. Then, they saw a troop of about five thousand cavalry galloping towards them.

Everyone was shocked.

Li Chengqian remained calm and collected, pulling on the reins to tame his horse: "Don't panic, everyone!"

The newcomers were none other than Tuoba Chici and Princess Guanghua, along with their left and right protectors, Xiaoqing and Xiaobai.

"Surround them!" With Tuoba Chici's order, five thousand cavalrymen surrounded Li Chengqian and his men in the center.

"Archers, prepare!"

About a thousand archers rushed forward, nocked their arrows, and aimed at Li Chengqian and his men.

Upon seeing this, Su Gui was about to explode and was about to order a fight with them.

Li Chengqian gestured with his eyes, signaling him not to act rashly.

To fight two hundred against five thousand is asking for trouble.

"Are you Tuoba Chici, the ruler of the Tangut state?" Li Chengqian asked in a loud and calm voice.

"Indeed, who are you?" Tuoba Chici, mounted on his horse, carefully examined Li Chengqian.

At this moment, Princess Guanghua, standing beside Tuoba Chici, had already quietly introduced him to him.

"I am Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty. I have come to the Dangxiang Kingdom on the orders of my father, the Emperor, to discuss some matters with you. We are on friendly terms and have no hostile intentions. Please do not misunderstand."

"Are you Li Tai's older brother?"

"Exactly."

"Last time, his celestial horse ran faster than a rabbit! All of us couldn't catch him!"

Upon hearing this, the Tangut soldiers all burst into laughter.

Clearly, Tuoba Chici was intentionally boasting about his victory and satirizing Li Tai.

"That night, in the inn, Princess Guanghua, along with Xiaoqing and Xiaobai, came to ambush me. But they ran away quite quickly, didn't they?"

Li Chengqian shut him down with a single sentence.

Princess Guanghua, Xiaoqing, and Xiaobai all blushed.

Tuoba Chici said, "The Li Tang dynasty and our Tangut people are enemies of our two countries. What is there to talk about between us? Arrest them all and take them back. Anyone who dares to resist shall be killed without mercy."

"Yes, sir!" his soldiers replied in unison.

Just then, two people stepped forward and shouted, "Wait!"

Everyone glanced at them and saw that it was Yakushi Eri and Hōtō.

Fatong said to Princess Guanghua, "Aunt, please don't do anything, I am Anaba!"

Princess Guanghua found it strange that a young and tall monk opposite her addressed her as "aunt".

She looked closely and realized that the monk was her nephew, Murong Nuohebo. He had gone to Chang'an a few years ago, so his appearance had changed a lot.

"Anaba, how could it be you?" Princess Guanghua was both surprised and delighted.

"The reasons are too complicated to explain in a few words. I will tell you when I have the chance," Fatong said, taking out the copy of "Han Feizi" from his bosom and handing it to Princess Guanghua. "The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is very sincere in his mission to the Dangxiang. I heard that my uncle especially wanted to obtain the original copy of "Han Feizi," so I brought it here as a gift for him."

"Really? Let me see it," said Tuoba Chici.

Princess Guanghua handed the copy of "Han Feizi" to Tuoba Chici.

Tuoba Chici opened it and read: "The first chapter, 'First Encounter with Qin,' states: 'To speak without knowing is unwise; to know and not speak is disloyal.'..."

Indeed, it was the original work. Tuoba Chici was overjoyed: "I keep my word. As long as someone finds the original copy of 'Han Feizi' for me, I am willing to give them three cities."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian thought to himself that this man was a man of his word.

Li Chengqian and Su Wan exchanged a glance and laughed, "Consider that book a gift from me to you. I won't take the three cities."

"Are you sure you mean it?" Tuoba Chici was still somewhat skeptical.

"When I say I don't want it, I really mean it. What's a book anyway?"

At this moment, the medicine doctor Hui Ri walked up to Tuoba Chi Ci and said, "I'm sorry, our mission has failed, and four of our brothers have died."

Tuoba Chici was taken aback upon hearing this, because he knew the people of the Wa people were not to be trifled with. Therefore, he was very polite to Yakushi Huiri: "Your men are so skilled, yet they are no match for them?"

"Yes, there's a very capable person among them named Su Gui."

"Where is your younger sister?"

"Yakushi Keiko and her four other brothers were captured by them."

"Is that so?"